CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 609,108	$ 640,672
Marketable investment securities (Note 5)	1,431,745	2,299,705
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,350 and $29,650, respectively	778,443	771,898
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	16,374	14,155
Inventory	707,151	487,575
Deferred tax assets (Note 12)	73,014	216,899
Other current assets	131,988	142,489
Total current assets	3,747,823	4,573,393
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities (Note 5)	132,435	144,437
Property and equipment, net (Note 7)	3,169,891	3,232,348
FCC authorizations	1,391,441	1,391,441
Marketable and other investment securities (Note 5)	112,132	121,926
Investment in DBSD North America (Note 10)	1,297,614	102,591
TerreStar Transaction (Note 10)	1,345,000
Other noncurrent assets, net	273,895	66,017
Total noncurrent assets	7,722,408	5,058,760
Total assets	11,470,231	9,632,153
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	225,556	161,767
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	229,852	238,997
Deferred revenue and other	832,390	803,768
Accrued programming	1,067,625	1,089,988
Litigation accrual (Note 16)	65,580	619,022
Other accrued expenses	763,863	554,864
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 11)	35,645	1,030,895
Total current liabilities	3,220,511	4,499,301
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 11)	7,458,134	5,484,041
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 12)	974,414	567,686
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	236,175	214,568
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	8,668,723	6,266,295
Total liabilities	11,889,234	10,765,596
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	2,274,005	2,171,799
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	82,043	93,357
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(1,211,990)	(1,834,619)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,569,459)	(1,569,459)
Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit)	(420,370)	(1,133,929)
Noncontrolling interest	1,367	486
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(419,003)	(1,133,443)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	11,470,231	9,632,153
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,647	2,609
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,384	2,384
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock